Described is physical oceanography as analyzed by seven dependent variables, (three components of velocity, the pressure, density, temperature and salinity) as a function of three space variables and time. Topics discussed include the heat balance of the earth, current patterns in the ocean, heat transport, the air-sea interaction, and prospects…

Described are the proceedings from the 1980 annual conference of the Institute of Physics Education Group. The topic of discussion, "writing skills in physics," included teaching writing skills, writing requirements in industry, and writing practice makes perfect. (DS)

Discussed is the present concept of the ultimate nature of matter--the elementary particle. An explanation is given for why the lepton family of particles--the electron, muon, and tau--may be truly elementary. The tau lepton is described in more detail. (Author/DS)

Provides a brief history of electrets and describes how they can be made in a small laboratory. Also summarizes the uses of electrets and suggests projects and experiments with them. (CS)

Describes a technique whereby qualitatively correct models of differentially rotating degenerate stars may be constructed by simple methods available to undergraduate students. (Author/JN)

Presents an elementary formulation of the work expenditure corresponding to walking, the most common physical exercise. The model described is included in a physics course for freshmen in physical education and physical therapy. (Author/JN)

The Poincare group, the group of transformations of the plane which preserve the Minkowski distance between points, is derived as compositions of suitably defined reflections in straight lines. It is shown that any such transformations must be one of four types. (Author/JN)

Describes the construction of an apparatus that demonstrates that electrostatic forces can be large and also gives some idea of dependence of electrostatic forces between charged parallel discs on potential differences and separation. (CS)

This paper draws attention to the frequency meaning of the probability concept and its implications for quantum mechanics. It emphasizes that the very meaning of probability implies the ensemble interpretation of both pure and mixed states. As a result some of the "paradoxical" aspects of quantum mechanics lose their counterintuitive…

A "gedanken photograph" of a relativistic meter stick is analyzed at a level appropriate for undergraduate students. Aspects of the photographic process are analyzed in the frame of the moving meter stick. (Author/SK)

Presents an integral approach to the boundary value problem in waveguides deduced from the Kirchoff's integral formulation of the electromagnetic field. Also, the basis for the numerical solution of more general problems is given, including the example of the isosceles right triangular guide. (Author/SK)

Presents a step-by-step approach to be used in solving different forms of physics problems, starting from familiar grounds and finding well known results on the way. Uses the rate of heat flow and the resulting changes of temperature with time of a copper block as an example. (GA)

Discusses human ability to perceive repeated sensory stimuli in the visual system, and explains that its frequency fc has a critical value, under normal conditions, about 40 Hz. (GA)

Derives Green's functions and integral equations for scattering solutions subject to a variety of boundary conditions. Exact solutions are obtained for the case of a finite spherical square-well potential, and properties of these solutions are discussed. (Author/HM)

Written for teachers of "liberal arts physics," this article about logarithms outlines a way to review arithmetic skills in manipulating powers, discusses the attitude of physicists toward numbers, and gives an introduction to estimation. (MK)